PORTSMOUTH — Imagine a continuous pathway where people could have the ability to walk or bicycle along the coast between Maine and Florida.

Proponents of the East Coast Greenway project are trying to make that concept a reality.

"This would be an urban Appalachian trail connecting 25 cities along the East Coast. I think it has the potential in the Seacoast to be a great resource, bringing riders outside the area," said Scott Bogle, senior transportation planner with the Rockingham Planning Commission, at an informational meeting held Tuesday night at the Portsmouth Public Library.

The entire path would stretch about 3,000 miles from Calais, Maine to Key West, Fla.

Bogle said New Hampshire efforts to develop this pathway were revitalization when bicycle groups came together to lobby for the rehabilitation of the Memorial Bridge connecting Route 1 between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine to include a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path.

Now, the project advocates hope to draft a route by fall, Bogle said. Some preliminary areas identified include Route 1B in New Castle heading along Route 1A through Portsmouth and along Rye.

In Hampton, they are looking at using an off-road route that would follow the Hampton rail line corridor. A portion of that line is no longer in service, while the other is used by Guilford Transportation.

The state Department of Transportation has appropriated $10,000 for efforts to draft the corridor plan.

Bogle pointed out that development of a bicycle and pedestrian path could be a boon for tourism.

A study done by Maine showed that bicycle tourism contributed an estimated $60 million to the economy — in addition to promoting different methods of transportation.

"There are an awful lot of short trips where if you have a safe place to bike, a bicycle can be a safe alternative to driving," he said.